The Los Angeles Dodgers are still searching for answers after their 2026 season ended in ugly fashion with an NLCS sweep at the hands of the Milwaukee Brewers. Although he finally came through with a big home run in Game 4, Shohei Ohtani was largely a shell of his usual self in this series, and throughout the playoffs as a whole, clearly not having recovered from the injuries that plagued him down the stretch of the season.

Now, the Dodgers have gotten some interesting advice about how they could potentially use Ohtani next season in order to minimize the impact of his injuries.

“I'd play him out in left field, then you free up the DH role so Freddie Freeman and Mookie Betts, as they age, will get some ability to have some at-bats in a way that they're more protected,” said former MLB general manager Dan O'Dowd, per MLB Now on X, formerly Twitter.

It's certainly an interesting idea, albeit one that Ohtani himself might not be thrilled about, as he has expressed his desire to still be a pitcher moving forward, despite not having many outings on the mound this year due to injury.

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This isn't the position that the Dodgers thought they would be in at this time of the year, when they are accustomed to getting ready for the World Series, and instead now are faced with some serious questions regarding their franchise superstar.

It will certainly be fascinating to see how Dave Roberts and company approach Ohtani's lineup status heading into next year and beyond, particularly if injuries start to flare up again.